Two pals are celebrating after picking up top awards at a prestigious ceremony for the North East's best entrepreneurs.

Two pals are celebrating after picking up top awards at a prestigious ceremony for the North East's best entrepreneurs.

Illustrator Jimmy Turrell and film maker Chris Taylor were both shortlisted for the regional final of the Shell LiveWIRE Awards in Newcastle.

Jimmy, 28, from Benton, walked away with the title of North East Young Businessman of the Year and scooped a &#xA3;1,000 prize for his design company Safe Place.

Mate Chris, 27, from Low Fell, Gateshead, picked up the Best Business Acumen award and a cheque for &#xA3;500 for his production firm Super-Krush which is making a documentary on the Tyneside-based film School for Seduction.

Jimmy will now be vying with 11 other hopefuls from across the country in the final, for a grand prize of &#xA3;10,000.